Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for helping to maintain bone density, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, sex drive and sperm production in men. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone decreases 1 percent a year after the age of 30, but some men may experience a faster decline. Signs of low testosterone include decreased libido, infertility, insomnia or other sleep disturbances, increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, decreased strength and bone density and emotional changes such as depression. Your doctor may prescribe testosterone therapy via synthetic testosterone injections, but some herbs may also be helpful for giving your hormones a boost.
Step 1
Take a tribulus terrestris supplement, which increases testosterone levels by raising your levels of luteinizing hormones. According to BodyBuildingForYou.com, luteinizing hormones encourage the production of sex steroids in both males and females and can be effective at increasing libido and energy levels with few to no side effects. Talk to your doctor before taking this supplement.
Step 2
Try ashwagandha root, the Indian version of ginseng, which contains withanolides that may help to increase steroidal activity and promote increased libido, mental focus and physical performance. Talk to your doctor before taking this supplement.
Step 3
Take epimedium, also known as horny goat weed, which has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to promote male potency and libido. Horny goat weed's testosterone-like effects may also be helpful in increasing sperm production and slowing muscle loss. Talk to your doctor before taking this supplement.
Step 4
Take ginkgo biloba extract, which increased the production of testosterone in lab rats in a study conducted by researchers at National Taiwan University and published in the journal "Hormones and Behavior" in January 2008. Although no scientific evidence proves this effect in human subjects, it is known that ginkgo increases circulation, which may help with erectile dysfunction and increase libido. It also helps stimulate brain function to combat the effects of low testosterone on mental focus. Talk to your doctor before taking this supplement.
References
- Bodybuildingforyou.com: Tribulus Terrestris Stacks and Tribulus Side Effects
- Annie's Remedy: Ashwagandha
- Annie's Remedy: Epimedium
- "Hormones and Behavior"; ginkgo biloba extract enhances male copulatory behavior and reduces serum prolactin levels in rats; Yeh KY, Pu HF, Kaphle K, Lin SF, Wu LS, Lin JH, Tsai YF; Jan. 2008
